mARTies award winners announced

STUART - Two hundred guests gathered to celebrate the 8th mARTies Awards celebrating both professional and student achievement in the visual and performing arts on Feb. 13 within the courtyard of St Mary's and Pittenger Center, Stuart. The Starry Night theme, with a nod to Van Gogh, was the backdrop to a picture perfect evening presented by the Arts Council of Martin County.

With each mARTies celebration the Arts Council board selects some very remarkable named award recipients. These award winners have demonstrated their leadership, their passion and commitment to the arts.

-Lifetime Achievement in the Arts: Jane Davis Doggett

-Arts Leadership Award: Ron Hart

-Excellence in Arts Education: Bridget Glass

-Philanthropy in the Arts: Frances Langford Foundation

The mARTies committee also entertains nominations from the community in several categories. Those nominees were honored and recipients were announced in each category:

-Volunteer in the Arts: Francine Beckstead

-Outstanding Visual Artist: Jane Blatt

-Outstanding Digital Media Artist: Mitch Kloorfain

-Outstanding Performing Artist: Terry Barber

With gratitude to a gift from Lesser, Lesser Landy & Smith and the State of the Arts License Plate program, the student awards were accompanied by $500 scholarships:

The Arts Council of Martin County is a 501(c)3 non-profit membership organization that supports the arts and artists. Revenues from events benefit both the artists and the Arts Council to support the on-going programs of the Council including arts information activities, arts education programs for youth and support for artists and arts organizations.

The Arts Council and the Court House Cultural Center Gallery are located at 80 E. Ocean Blvd. in Stuart. For information visit the Arts Council website at http://www.martinarts.org or call 772-287-6676.

The Arts Council is sponsored in part by the Florida Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, the Florida Arts Council, City of Stuart, Martin County Board of County Commissioners, and private contributions.

This story is contributed by a member of the community and is neither endorsed nor affiliated with TCPalm.